1. You may identify the stasis in the play but it isn’t necessarily at the beginning of the play. Where is it and who does it involve?
The stasis of the play involves play write David Henry Hwang who is struggling to follow up his success of M. Butterfly in the face of ethnic injustice in the theater. Hwang is seeing yellow face wherever he goes and must use his writing to draw attention to the issue.
2. Ball points out that the intrusion sometimes occurs late in the dramatic action. What is the intrusion that breaks the stasis in Execution of Justice and how is it broken?
David's father comes to him during his time of writer's block after Miss Saigon situation has begun to die down and tells David why Miss Saigon is a brilliant play. His "relation" to the play being that he wanted to find the American dream just like the main character wanted for her baby. David draws inspiration from this and begins to write what will become the source of many heated arguments and controversy.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor that is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place? Hint: what is the heart of the play? How does the title figure in this?
By hiring a Caucasian to play an Asian goes completely against exactly what Hwang was protesting. Hwang must find a way let Marcus, his lead, go at the peak of his popularity with the Asian community. The title "Yellow Face" refers to the issue at the time in the 1990's and early 2000's. Casting directors were casting actors based on their "acting ability" rather than honoring the race/ethnicity the play calls for. Hwang ends up doing exactly what he wanted to avoid.
4. State the dramatic question that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
Will Hwang's new play become successful?
Will David's dad be deprived of justice?
Will Asians finally be treated like the American-born citizens they are?
5. Use Hwang’s “character” to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, ie. The dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what these particular characters wants. The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles facing each of the lawyers.
Hwang wants to produce a play that will bring the issue of yellow face to life, but faces man against man obstacles when he's faced with the problem as a white male as his Asian lead, man against society obstacles when the media bombards him with bad reviews as well as the Federal government questioning his intentions based on his race, as well as man against himself when he struggles to find motivation to find write after his mishaps and failures. All of these obstacles factor into Hwang's struggle to become the face of Asian hope in America.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Yellow Face.
When Hwang discovers Marcus is thriving in the acting business thanks to his play jump-starting his career
When federal agents begin accusing Asian citizens exclusively for espionage
When Hwang gets into an argument with a reporter who embodies the bigotry and racism of whites in America
1. You may identify the stasis in the play but it isn’t necessarily at the beginning of the play. Where is it and who does it involve?
2. Ball points out that the intrusion sometimes occurs late in the dramatic action. What is the intrusion that breaks the stasis in Execution of Justice and how is it broken?
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor that is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place? Hint: what is the heart of the play? How does the title figure in this?
4. State the dramatic question that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
5. Use Hwang’s “character” to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, ie. The dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what these particular characters wants. The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles facing each of the lawyers.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Yellow Face.